letters

Share

A pair of big eyes and a white face, with a tall, slim figure - this is what many boys consider a beautiful girl.

Many people have fixed views of what beauty or attractiveness is.

But I don't think beauty has a fixed definition.

I believe kind, loving and charitable people are the most attractive of all. Mother Theresa, who devoted her life to the poor and the terminally ill, was a hugely attractive woman because of what she did for others.

There's no point in being obsessed with physical appearance.

Focus on developing your character, care for other people and you'll become more attractive!

Helen Wong Pui-ling, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

Don't be limited by school uniform

Many school students think wearing casual wear to school helps them express their individuality more than wearing a uniform.

Whenever schools hold 'casual dress days', everyone gets excited.

But whatever you wear, you are, and will always be, yourself.

Everyone is different and unique. Even if you wear the same clothes as everyone else, it does not mean you are the same.

Prove who you are by what you say and do. Remember: it's what's inside that counts!

Mel

Choose Hong Kong for university

While many mainland students go to western universities, some Hong Kong students choose to study on the mainland or in Taiwan.

But I would rather study at a Hong Kong university. In spite of the improving quality of mainland schools, they do not necessarily provide bright career prospects for students.

Another reason is the lack of exposure to English on the mainland.

Since English is an international language, we should try our best to learn it. Studying in Hong Kong gives us the chance to use English more often.

Hong Kong universities also provide many benefits, including generous scholarships which can help students overcome their financial burden.

With intense competition from mainland and western students, we must continue to work hard and make the most of what our city has to offer.

Amy Lau Yuk-ching, Leung Shek Chee College

Save your money for something worthy

Many students go to tutorial schools to help them do better at school and in exams.

Those tutorial schools pay for big adverts on buses and outside their centres to publicise how well their students have done in exams.

Students who attend the courses rely on the tutors and believe their lectures are better.

In my opinion, attending tutorial classes is a waste of money and time. You spend a lot of money and time going over the same things your teachers cover and what's in your textbook.

Instead of paying a tutorial school, why not buy extra reference books or alternative textbooks and spend more time going over what you learned in class? This would be more helpful and practical.

And when your grades improve, you can congratulate yourself on your hard work and effort.

Vivien Lew

Study medicine at a later stage

I believe it's better to study medicine as a postgraduate than an undergraduate.

First of all, postgraduate students are more mature and experienced than undergraduates.

By studying a different subject - related or not - first, students can equip themselves with skills they may miss out if they study medicine right after secondary school.

Studying medicine at the age of 21 means students are far more likely to know what they are capable of and what they really want to do.

At the age of 16, we are less aware of our potential and of what other jobs are out there.

What's more, future doctors have to understand medical ethics and such concepts are difficult for young students to grasp.

They will make far more sense after an undergraduate degree.

Expecting an undergraduate to learn ethics as well as treatment of disease is demanding too much.

When they are older, they will be more equipped to develop opinions on controversial issues such as euthanasia and cloning.

Changing medicine to a postgraduate degree would benefit students and society as a whole.

Wansy Ho Wan-sin, Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

Retirement doesn't have to be at 60

The official age of retirement is 60. Even if people are still capable of working, employers often discriminate against them, saying older people are slow, physically unfit or incapable of learning.

But many older people get bored and feel worthless after retirement.

People aged 60 are not old. They have many active years left, and most of them don't want to sit at home.

Older people are now taking courses and joining clubs so they won't get bored.

I believe retirement should be based on a person's ability, not their age.

Officially retired people can be good workers and can remain useful members of society.